22-03-31 PHOTOS: Hudson

When the gray is in the air and the ground is turning to mush its probably time to take another trip up the Hudson valley to document one of the best preserved examples of New York Central signaling anywhere. For the better part of a decade I have been working to replicate my PRR Main Line signal survey on a smaller scale and with most of the easy locations checked off I am having to go after higher and higher fruit. In 2022 my targets was the Milepost 79 signal bridge, just a few hundred yards north of the historic Hyde Park station, the Milepost 108 masts near Linlithgo and the station and interlocking at Hudson, NY. I also documented some of the "new" (2009) searchlights installed by CP in the Mechanicville area. You can find the full set of photos here ( mirror ).

First stop was Hyde Park where I caught Amtrak P32AC-DM #702 passing under the NYC vintage signal bridge with a southbound Empire Service train.

My next stop was a point north of CP-103, which unfortunately had recently had its small target searchlight signals replaced, to catch a northbound Empire Service train led by non-heritage P32AC-DM #706.

Amtrak's train tracking feature is pretty useful as it is now super easy to ensure a train encounter at every stop. At the Milepost 108 automatic signal location I managed to snag a Phase III heritage painted P32AC-DM #713 with a southbound Empire Service train.

Unfortunately I was a day late an a dollar short to document the searchlight signals at CP-114, but the new LED target type color light signals are making use of the same Conrail era cantilevers that even have remnants of the old contrast paint.

21-12-02 PHOTOS: Milwaukee North Line Express

For the past 8 years I have been using my annual trip to Chicago to collect railfan window video footage from inbound peak period express runs on Metra, the local commuter rail system. 2021 would be no different and my target for the trip would be a run on the Milwaukee North Line between Deerfield and Union station with a single stop at Western Ave. After I was at Union Station I walked down to get some photos from the Roosevelt Ave overpass. You can view the foll gallery here ( mirror ).

To get to Deerfield in time for my express run, I had to connect to an even earlier morning outbound local at Mayfair and to do that I utilized the CTA Blue Line to Montrose. That morning Budd built CTA 2600-series car #2716 was on the front of my train.

The Mayfair Station is adjacent to the famous 2x3 diamond crossing with the Chicago Northwestern, currently the Metra CNW-Northwest Line. While waiting at the station an inbound Metra train led by gallery cab car #8548 arrived ontrack #1 just before my outbound local showed up with F40PH-3 #115 in the lead.

On the outbound trip my local passed additional inbound trains including one with Metra F59PHI #92 near Glenview and an Amtrak Hiawatha service train with SC44 #4608.

Getting off at Deerfield here is a photo of the outbound shelter with my Gallery type cab car #8510.

My inbound Gallery cab car would be #8531.

If you could like to watch the video of this entire inbound express run you can watch it here.

On my inbound run my train encountered outbound local with MP36PH-3C #421, the Mayfair diamond with MP36PH-3C #411 and the now closed TOWER A-5.

20-10-03 PHOTOS: Cleveland Drawbridges

The City of Cleveland was not just parked randomly on the shore of Lake Erie, it was built around the mouth of the Cuyahoga River, which provided port infrastructure that later allowed the city to become an industrial hub where iron ore delivered via boat could be combined with coal delivered via rail to create steel. Later the river port became useful in international trade with other industrial concerns able to send and receive their goods via the St. Lawrence Seaway. Although the river is best known for catching fire several times in the mid-20th century due to extreme amounts of pollution, the more lasting legacy are the large number of drawbridges that span the river as it winds its way through the historic Flats part of the city to the large industrial zone several miles inland.

In the fall of 2020 I went on a little walk from the east side of DRAWBRIDGE interlocking, located at the mouth of the Cuyahoga River, to the west side. DRAWBRIDGE interlocking and its associated Bridge One srawbridge are located on the former Conrail Chicago Line and is today owned by Norfolk Southern as part of its New York - Chicago corridor. Also included in this set are photos from Berea, OH, about 20 miles west of Bridge One and a major train watching hotspot where NS and CSX lines briefly meet. The full set of both Drawbridge and Berea photos can be found here ( mirror ).

The New York Central's BE tower, later renamed BEREA under Conrail, still stands in Berea, Ohio although the interlocking it once controlled has been split between Norfolk Southern and CSX. The late model Central tower was built at the western junction of the Water Level Route main line and the Cleveland Short Line with a 144 level GRS Model 5 pistol grip type interlocking machine. Closed at the very tail end of the Conrail era in 1997, the interlocking itself remained unchanged for another decade despite the fact that the two lines it controlled had been sold to competing railroads. Not surprisingly, the entire complex was rebuilt split between the two railroads, but BEREA tower itself has remained standing as an NS crew facility. 

When I arrived at BEREA early on a Saturday morning a a spike of local railfans were already on site with lawn chairs due to the impending arrival of a Canadian Pacific heritage unit as run-through power on a CSX intermodal train. While waiting quite a few NS trains passed by on the Chicago Line, the first of these being an eastbound stack train led by NS AC44C6M's #4214 and #4168.

Berea Union Depot has been since transformed into a railroad theme restaurant, likely knowing the tastes of the majority users of the Station's parking facility. The need for a Union station here predates the Central's takeover of the Lake Shore and Michigan Southern and Big Four railroads.

A westbound TOFC train featured NS ES44AC #8067 and #4380, one of the latest AC44C6M conversions.

The next train, and eastbound NS manifest job, featured a bevy of power including two AC44C6M's, #4163 and #4241, C40-10W #7606, SD70ACe #1177 and two SD40-2's #3229 and #3301. Note the signal masts in the foreground located on the former Short Line to Chicago Line connecting track where the ownership changes between NS and CSX.

The Canadian Pacific SD70ACU #7018 heritage unit eventually arrived with a second CP unit, ES44AC #8867, on the rear of the eastbound doublestack train.

 

DRAWBRIDGE tower is another former New York Central structure built in the 1960's to manage Bridge One and the surrounding trackage. Under Conrail DRAWBRIDGE came to control the critical junction between the Chicago and Cleveland Lines that linked both of Conrails main routes between the East Coast and Chicago. After the Conrail split, Chicago Line through traffic was shifted to the Cleveland Short Line under CSX, but the operator at DRAWBRIDGE was still on hand to orchestrate movements of boats and freight trains as Bridge One's deck sits only a few feet above the water level. DRAWBRIDGE was closed as an interlocking tower around 2018 and for a time the work of raising and lowering the bridge was done remotely as well, however this caused massive delays to marine traffic and NS ultimately put bridge operation back on site.

19-12-06 PHOTOS: Milwaukee West Line

The Milwaukee West Line was the target of my 2019 METRA video project. With significant portions of three track running the MILW-West line offers a robust express service during the peak periods between the town of Schaumburg and Union Station. My plan was to take a North Central train from where I was staying to the town of River Grove where I would then transfer to a reverse peak local out to Schaumburg. Trains on the Milwaukee district are operated by METRA and it is their policy to run with the front cars closed on non-peak trains, so the deadhead portion of the trip would be pretty much useless. However my express run would present me with a front facing window to capture an express run all the way into Union Station with only two stops at Franklin Park and Western Ave. For those and other videos from this trip check out my accompanying video post.

After arriving at Union Station I performed the traditional walk out to Roosevelt Ave and took a few more photos on the CTA both that day and on the way to Midway airport for the flight back east. You can see the entire set of photos here ( mirror ).

I pick up on my journey getting dropped off at River Grove by the North Central Service train. The MILW-West line here has three tracks with a Clear signal displayed for #2 track on the MP 11.4 signal bridge.

Even at dark-o-clock in the morning there was plenty of eastbound commuter traffic at the River Grove station. This inbound local was being propelled by METRA F40PH-3 #104.

My outbound train arrived with MP36PH-3C #414.

At Schaumburg I arrived in time to meet an inbound train with MP36PH-3S #411, ex-Amtrak Surfliner F59PHI #81 and a carbon steel Pullman gallery coach. The double heading was likely due to #81 still being under evaluation for reliability. My outbound train was equipped with gallery cab car #8582.

Before my express, a short local headed by gallery cab car #8510 arrived. The short length indicates the relative popularity of the express runs.

On the express, we encountered an outbound MILW-West train with F40PH-3 #102 just prior to the run's only major station stop at Franklin Park.

19-12-06 VIDEOS: METRA Milwaukee West Line

My annual trips to Chicago each December have become my primary opportunity, despite the short days and cold temperatures, to shoot head end video on METRA commuter trains. Of course METRA, with its slow diesel services and frequent station stops, would not normally make for the most exciting head end videos and METRA has already posted head end videos from all of its lines on YouTube making my efforts unnecessary. However what METRA and few others have done is get their ass up early in the morning to film express runs into Chicago from the outer suburbs. For the last 5 years I have gotten express run video from one of METRA's many routes and in 2019 I turned my attention to the Milwaukee West line that offers an express service between Schaumburg, IL and Union Station with only 2 intermediate stops at Franklin Park and Western Ave. In addition to the express run I am also going to throw up some other videos from that day.

As I was staying out near O'Hare the first part of my run was to take a North Central Service train to River Grove on the Milwaukee West Line. NCS trains, running on a former Soo Line route, turn onto the MILW West line at Tower B-12. This connection was beefed up in the mid-1990's to support the new service. My train takes the Diverging Clear on southbound NSC main track #1 and turns onto MILW West Line main track #2. Note the swirling Mars (tm) brand headlight.



Here we see my NCS trainset departing River Grove towards Chicago Union Station under a clear indication on the Milepost 14 intermediate signal. Power is being provided by MP36PH-3C #406.



As I waited for my express train at Schaumburg, METRA #73, a recently acquired ex-Surfliner F59PHI, leads 4 car local en-route to Union Station on the Milwaukee West Line. Note the Milepost 31 automatic signal upgrading from Advance Approach to Clear. A short turn local had just departed Roselle and the signal at Roselle West interlocking had upgraded to Approach.



Finally we get to the head end view from the express Milwaukee West Line train as it makes a non-stop run from Schaumburg to Franklin Park. Note the CN Bensenville Rail Yard with the active (albeit re-signaled) Tower B-17 at the west end.



Departing Franklin Park the train once again runs express all the way to the CNW crossing at Western Ave. The run includes a diverging movement at the new Tower B-6 interlocking, that was carved out of the old Tower A-5 (Pacific Jct) a few years ago. Note former Milwaukee Road F40C's #611 and #614 in the Western Ave Yard deadline ahead of some old Pullman and Budd gallery coaches.



We conclude with a race between my train and what I think is a Milwaukee North line train between Western Ave and Union Station. Unlike my previous video where a North Central Service train I was riding lost out in a race over the same stretch, this time my train was victorious and arrived first. Note the departing Amtrak Hiawatha train near Green St.



Well thanks for watching and stay tuned for the still photos from this trip.

15-05-24 PHOTOS: Hudson River Walk

Ok, I know I am rather late to the party on this one, but I finally had a chance this past Memorial Day to head on up to Poughkeepsie and take a walk over the Mighty Hudson on the former New Haven Railroad Highlands Bridge. My trip also involved a ride on the Metro-North Hudson Line to Croton-Harmon as well as a return trip via Amtrak's Empire service to Poughkeepsie. I would also like to thank fellow Subchatters Alex and Amanda for hosting me on this adventure.

Photos of the trip can be seen here.

I kicked off my journey catching Regional Train 162 hauled behind ACS-86 #622.



Hudson Line express service on the weekend is the province of diesel hauled trains and mine was no exception. Here is Shoreliner IV cab car #6313 in the trailing position as the train departs for points north.

M7 MU's #4093 and #4229 hanging out with friends in the Croton yard. 

P32AC-DM #203 and #222 hanging out under the sanding tower at Croton.

Fromt of M7 #4209.

P32AC-DM #226 passing in front of HM tower.

CDoT owned Shoreliner I cab car #6223 in the trailing position as it heads into the ready service yard. Note the mis-matched lettering with one being in the new old Penn Central font. 

The Walkway over the Hudson added a few historical touches like this old searchlight signal.

The bridge provided an excellent view of the stored MNRR P32AC-DM trainsets. In residence that day were #'s 224, 205, 209, 216 and NH painted 229.

View of the Mid-Hudson bridge from the walkway.

It's pretty amazing how well the bridge has held up over the years despite all the deferred maintenance. God bless 19th century over engineering. 

14-06-21 PHOTOS: Tower B-12

So this year's Chicagoland Layover featured a visit to the Tower B-12 museum in Franklin Park, IL. Now when I say "visit" I mean visiting the site because I wasn't able to determine which group was responsible for running the preserved Tower B-12 let alone determine its hours.

Tower B-12 is on the former Milwaukee Road West Line where it meets northern end of the Indiana Harbor Belt and crosses the former Wisconsin Central at grade. The mechanical tower was closed in 1996 when the interlocking was reconfigured to accommodate METRA Northwest Service and moved a block to the west to a new railroad style park, just across from the Franklin Park METRA station. More information on the B-12 junction itself can be found here.

In addition to my visit to Tower B-12, this set will include other photos from Chicago including a trip on the CTA Blue Line. You can find the complete set here.

We begin with METRA gallery Cab Car #8587 pulling west out of the Franklin Park station.

The station building itself appears to date from the Milwaukee Road era.

The preserved Tower B-12 as it appears today. The long, slender construction of the tower is indicative of a mechanical lever frame.

The park also features a preserved MILW caboose. 

Unlike the South Norwalk Signal Tower Museum, Tower B-12's lever frame only contains a few surviving levers. Note the horizontal locking bed, which I believe was a US&S thing.

This vintage Milwaukee Road signal bridge provides a taste of the original Tower B-12 at the present site of the interlocking. At some point the old searchlight signals were replaced with modern LED searchlights.

B-12 is located at the far east end of what is today Canadian Pacific's Bensenville yard. Trains arrive and depart here via the former IHB to transfer trains from the western network to the eastern network.

While I was waiting for the eastbound METRA train two Canadian Pacific AC4400's #'s 9582 and 8616 pulled out of the yard on their way to the IHB.

An interesting feature of the Franklin Park complex is IHB's EDGINGTON interlocking, which is not a part of the adjacent METRA Tower B-12 complex. One of the EDGINGTON signals even shares space on the old MILW gantry.

Before long a diverging clear signal appeared on the eastbound signal bridge for my METRA train. Tower B-12 marks the start of the third main track on the Milwaukee West line. It is used by CP freights to reach the CP C&M Sub at TOWER A-5.

The inbound cab car #8541 eventually arrived while my father looked on.